Target: Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

Goal: Continue the Diversity Visa program, a lottery that grants immigrants a Green Card, while immigration reform passes through Congress.

The Diversity Visa Program has provided green cards for immigrants entering the United States since the Immigration Act of 1990 was passed. However, due to the recent immigration reform, this program has ceased to exist while approval of the new system comes through. Though the new bill will hopefully pass in the near future, there is no time to waste in bringing this important visa program back to full strength.

Thousands of people and families apply for visas each year and must wait to be called in the “visa lotto.” Removing this program and dashing the dreams of thousands hoping to create a better life in America is not what this country is all about. Even while reform is still going on, this program must remain intact and continue to allow foreigners the opportunity to live and work in this country.

The current reforms would beef up border security with $4.5 billion in drones, sensors, and border patrol, and offers America’s undocumented families a path to citizenship. This bipartisan bill is incredibly important to the future of immigration policy, but while the reform is being passed, the Diversity Visa program must continue to help immigrants start their lives in America.

Families wait months, even years for the opportunity to work and live in the United States, bringing the Diversity Visa program to a halt, for even a short time, drastically hinders immigrants ability to legally enter this country.

In the face of immigration reform, the Diversity Visa program has ceased to provide green cards for immigrants hoping to start their lives in America. Though the reform, which tightens border control and allows undocumented families a path towards citizenship, will be passed in the near future, the visa program must continue to award visas to capable applicants.

Families wait months, even years for the opportunity to work and live in the United States. Bringing the Diversity Visa program to a halt for even a short time drastically hinders immigrants’ ability to legally enter this country.

This new bipartisan bill is incredibly important to the future of immigration policy. While the it being passed, however, the Diversity Visa program must continue to help immigrants start their lives in America and stop illegal immigrants from crossing the US and living with the constant fear of being deported.

Please do all you can to ensure the Diversity Visa program continues throughout the legislative process of passing immigration reform.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: internationalinstituteoftoledo.com

Sign the Petition

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Address

Street AddressCityState / Province / RegionZIP / Postal CodeCountry

Share on Facebook

Only your name will be displayed. By signing, you accept our terms and may receive updates on this and related causes.